Ashley Megson pleads guilty to raping child

A Darwin man, who wished an underage girl “happy birthday” after raping her, is “not a candidate” for a suspended sentence, a court has heard.

Ashley Megson pleaded guilty to raping an underage girl. Picture: Michael Marschall

A Darwin man, who wished an underage girl “happy birthday” after raping her, is “not a candidate” for a suspended sentence, a court has heard.

Ashley Megson, 39, has been behind bars since mid-2024 after sexually assaulting a girl at a Palmerston residence while her housemates were fast asleep.

Both Megson and the girl were sleeping under the same roof when the incident occurred.

On the night of the incident, the pair were smoking cannabis when Megson asked the girl questions of a sexual nature.

He then made physical advancements before raping the girl only to stop when he thought he heard a noise.

After a few silent moments, he took the girl by the arm and led her to the backyard where the rape continued.

After having his way, Megson left the girl with a parting comment.

“Happy birthday,” he told her.

Police would ultimately find and arrest Megson. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Megson’s actions would ultimately catch up with him.

The girl reported the incident later the same day and a crime scene was immediately established.

Megson, who refused to participate in an interview with police, was arrested.

Later, DNA evidence was also traced back to him.

Almost 18 months after his arrest, Megson appeared at the NT Supreme Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to having sexual intercourse with a child under 16 years-old.

“He never sought to contest or go down the path of contesting the matter,” his lawyer, Nicholas Goodfellow, said.

Mr Goodfellow also presented the court with material speaking to his client’s circumstances.

Neuropsychologist Laura Scott compiled a report which found Megson to have an IQ of 67 and a person to have suffered “almost constant neglect” growing up – leading to various mental impairments.

The court heard Megson’s prison experience will be “more difficult”.

NDIS assessments were also given to Justice Meredith Huntingford for consideration.

“To some extent, (Megson) has foundand will findcustody more difficult,” Mr Goodfellow said.

The court heard Megson was now in protective custody, however Mr Goodfellow directed the court’s attention to Dr Scott’s view regarding his safety behind bars.

“She speaks to conditions rendered in custody (and) that he’s at greater risk of being both the victim and perpetrator of violence in custody,” he said.

Mr Goodfellow maintained his client showed a readiness to rehabilitate and asked for a partial suspended sentence.

However, Justice Huntingford said she was not minded to, citing Megson’s history of “noncompliance” and the need for community safety.

“He is not a candidate for a suspended sentence,” she said.

The matter was adjourned to December 22, 2025.

Originally published as Ashley Megson pleads guilty to raping child